Choosing empathy and accountability as a privileged leader

Every day on LinkedIn, I am confronted by the very real experiences of those who suffer racism, discrimination, bias and exclusion. The conversations I witness others engage in are raw, often uncomfortable and easy to avoid by scrolling past, especially for those of us who hold privilege in various forms. But avoiding these experiences and conversations doesn’t lead to change. It leads to more of the same.

When others' conversations and experiences get 'too real,' my instinct is often to shut down, tune out the noise and pretend these issues don’t exist. I’ve done this in the past to protect myself, to avoid feeling overwhelmed by a reality that feels complex, painful and sometimes helpless.

Yet, these acts of self-protection are at the expense of others' lived experiences and as a leader, these types of behaviours are unsustainable and, frankly, irresponsible.

I can’t pretend that I don’t live in a world where racism, misogyny and ableism shape lives and limit possibilities.

I can’t ignore that the systems I work and live in are often disproportionately challenging for society's most vulnerable members. So, while I may feel a temporary sense of safety by turning away, it’s not a safety I’m willing to embrace at the cost of others' voices.

Instead, I'm choosing to emerge and re-engage. I choose to learn about the experiences of others, particularly those whose voices have been marginalised or silenced. And I choose to create spaces in the areas I have power and influence where those voices can be amplified and shared with the people and institutions with the ability to create lasting change.

This choice is both a privilege and a responsibility.

Unlike many, I don’t encounter bias, prejudice or fear of judgment everywhere I go. I can enter and exit these difficult conversations relatively unscathed compared to those who face discrimination daily, simply for existing. My awareness of this privilege is what informs my approach - I am here to listen, support and offer myself as a safe space for people to share, vent and feel seen.

It is a privilege to advocate for a cause rather than to fight for respect as a human being.

This distinction reminds me that my role is not just to observe but to actively contribute to change. Those who trust me with their stories, who share with me their experiences of bias, discrimination or harassment, are not merely statistics or abstractions. They’re people with ambitions, joys and struggles, who deserve to be a part of our communities and systems without question or compromise.

For those of us in positions of privilege, engaging with these issues is not about guilt or blame. It’s about recognising that change begins with us. It starts by acknowledging that these systems exist, by listening to those affected and by using our voices to push for the shifts we want and need to see.

As we move forward, I believe we all need to take a look at our role in this journey and consistently ask ourselves some hard questions.

How can we create spaces of belonging for others?

How can we amplify voices that need to be heard?

And how can we learn to engage with empathy, even when discomfort tempts us to step back?

Because the truth is, change requires courage.

It requires us to sit with the discomfort of others’ realities, to listen and to act. And if we want a world that’s more inclusive, equitable and just, then it starts by stepping forward, even when it’s easier to turn away.